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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-07-08 Minutes, City Commission MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COMMISSION BOZEMAN, MONTANA July 8, 2005 ***************************** The Commission of the City of Bozeman met in special session with the County Commissioners at the Holiday Inn, 5 Baxter Lane, at 7:00 a.m. on Friday, July 8, 2005. Present from the City were Commissioner Jeff Krauss, Commissioner Marcia Youngman Commissioner Steve Kirchhoff, Commissioner Lee Hietala, City Manager Chris Kukulski and City Clerk Robin Sullivan. Present from the County were Commission Chair Bill Murdock, Commissioner John Vincent and Commissioner Joe Skinner. Mayor Andrew Cetraro was absent. Also present were Philldeson, Harry Kirschenbaum and Eric Henyon. Informal work session with Countv Commissioners The breakfast meeting was called to order at 7:10 a.m. by Commissioner Jeff Krauss. Commissioner Murdock noted that a recent county-wide survey showed approximately 85 percent of the respondents felt more cooperative efforts between the County and Cities was of high importance, while the County Commission's performance was in the teens or twenties. He noted those results reflect the importance of this type of meeting. Solid Waste. Commissioner Jeff Krauss noted that the City is struggling with the closing of its landfill within the next year and the fact that the bids for the transfer station came in substantially higher than originally projected. He acknowledged that the City's decisions will impact the County and its residents and asked if the County is interested in becoming involved in solid waste collection as well as disposal. He suggested an alternative might be to sub-contract with a private company. Commissioner Bill Murdock stated he would be "open to anything that would not cause the rest of the county residents to subsidize pick-up service in Bozeman." He noted that former County Commissioner Phil Olson was a proponent of a county-wide solid waste program when he was on the Commission several years ago. He then asked if the City would be willing to rent its equipment and employees to the refuse district. City Manager Chris Kukulski stated everything is on the table for consideration, including a possible joint ownership or partnership in the landfill and collection systems, privatization, or County ownership. He suggested that, if the City were able to expand its collection system to include pick-ups between Bozeman and the Logan landfill, the program could become more efficient. Commissioner John Vincent asked if the expertise is available locally to work through this issue or if an outside consultant may be needed. Several local sources, including City staff and members of BFI, were identified as local sources that could assist in review of this issue. Commissioner Vincent noted that the recent survey identified growth issues as being of high importance and suggested that cooperation in addressing solid waste issues and possibly 9-1-1 issues would fall under that category. Commissioner Bill Murdock noted the solid waste district board is currently busy since the district is in the start-up phase and is working to get a stable work force in place. He noted that, if the City wants the board to do due diligence on the various options for solid waste disposal in the future and to develop a strategic plan, it will take some time. He suggested, rather, it would be preferable for the City to prepare a proposal and allow the board to react to it. Commissioner Jeff Krauss suggested the City could purchase quite a few trucks for $8.1 million rather than constructing a transfer station and purchasing transport trucks and trailers. He cautioned, however, that the costs of self-hauling and the potential that garbage will simply be dumped into area 07 -08-05 Special - 2 - ditches must also be factored into the deliberations. He encouraged the County Commissioners to consider imposing a requirement for covered loads to ensure that garbage does not blowout of vehicles transporting to the Logan landfill at highway speeds. City Manager Kukulski encouraged the Commissioners to determine whether a transfer station is a good thing, setting economics aside. Commissioner Youngman stated a transfer station is the wisest way to handle trash, noting that the transfer station under consideration at this time was designed with County residents and growth in mind. Commissioner John Vincent stressed that the increasing costs of fuel must also be considered, particularly since it is projected those costs may rise to $5 a gallon within five years. Commissioner Bill Murdock stated that he will get this issue placed on the agenda for the next refuse district board meeting. Planning. City Manager Chris Kukulski noted that the pressure of growth has caused the City to take the general position that if development at urban scale is "within a stone's throw, we welcome annexation". He stated that development toward Four Corners is creating significant pressure and is resulting in developers pitting the City against Four Corners for providing services. He stressed that the City is currently going through updating of the water and wastewater facilities plans. Those new plans will include a significantly larger area than the previous plans and will become huge drivers of development and growth. Commissioner Bill Murdock suggested that, if the City is "willing to play ball" on transferable development rights and not require curb, gutter and sidewalks along all streets, the interlocal agreement for planning could be easily completed and executed. He expressed his appreciation for the City's shift in attitude in the past five years and its willingness to work with developers. He then noted that it may be time to consider package sewage treatment plants rather than constructing a single large plant. Commissioner Jeff Krauss noted the default residential zone in Bozeman now seems to be "R-3", which is what the developers have identified as essential to make the infrastructure economically feasible. City Manager Kukulski suggested the City could try to be flexible on its infrastructure requirements; however, he cautioned that it is important to maintain the core values. He noted that developers no longer seem to be complaining about infrastructure requirements. He observed the City may consider the construction of package plants in the future, rather than trying to serve the entire community with a single treatment plant. He encouraged the County Commissioners to recognize that the City annexes property whenever requested to do so to ensure its development on the City's infrastructure. City Manager Chris Kukulski left the meeting at 8:00 a.m. Commissioner Kirchhoff observed that not many developers in the county like to work in Bozeman; and if there is no backstop and no backbone for a TDR program, it is difficult to implement the program. Commissioner Bill Murdock noted the County has recognized it must bewilling to payforthe impacts of using TDRs and the attendant increased density on City services. He noted the County has two $10 million bond issues that can help to address some of those identified issues. Commissioner Jeff Krauss observed it appears the County Commission has identified the "golden triangle" in which development is encouraged. He noted the City Commission looked at the proposed Black Bull Subdivision recently, and identified the need for ensuring that collector and arterial roads are extended, particularly if development is to be funneled to a specific area. Commissioner Murdock agreed that requiring an adequate road system to support development is essential. Commissioner Kirchhoff characterized the approval of all annexation requests as a defensive act as well as a cooperative act, noting that he has concerns when such annexations require a 1 ~-mile 07 -08-05 Special - 3 - extension of infrastructure. He stated Black Bull Subdivision is too far away to provide annexation and City services, and stressed that the city should grow from the inside out, not the outside in. Commissioner Bill Murdock recognized the County needs a land use plan. He anticipates that plan will recognize that in twenty to thirty years, the area between Four Corners, Bozeman and Belgrade will be infilled. Commissioner John Vincent suggested the area will experience the same growth rate for the next ten years that it has for the past ten years, and then may begin to taper off. Commissioner Steve Kirchhoff voiced his appreciation for the functional cooperative relationship between the City and the County at this time. He stated, however, he feels Black Bull Subdivision is on the fringe where those relationships could be strained, and he feels it is too far out and will result in backfill to Bozeman. He noted at the present time, the City is absorbing massive subdivisions that strain the extensions of its services, and he feels there is a better way to grow than to simply annex whoever is ready to develop. Commissioner Bill Murdock noted the proposed Abigail Ranch Subdivision, located south of Bozeman, is now off the table because the existing infrastructure cannot accommodate it. Commissioner Krauss stated that if Black Bull Subdivision becomes a reality, TDRs will be essential. He then indicated annexations next to the city are fine; however, he does not believe annexations this far from city limits are on equal footing. Commissioner Hietala expressed concern that development on wells in the county can be done by sidestepping both State and County regulations. Commissioner Marcia Youngman expressed her appreciation for the County's recognition of the impacts that additional density creates on City services and their willingness to assist in the funding of those impacts. She then noted the importance of recognizing the costs of certain services, such as police and fire, are exponentially more costly to provide to extended areas than they are to the core of the community. Commissioner Bill Murdock encouraged the City of Bozeman to consider working with the City of Belgrade and Gallatin County on developing a wastewater treatment system that would serve the entire area rather than both cities undertaking individual systems. Commissioner Jeff Krauss responded that the City had determined it was not interested in pursuing that possibility, due in large part to the fact that there is no county zoning and that extending sewer lines through the county would only encourage development without regulation. Commissioner Krauss asked if there is any desire to enter into an interlocal agreement for planning; Commissioner Murdock responded there is as long as the City is Willing to be "somewhat flexible on some nuts and bolts" and to include TDRs. He acknowledged that the County would need to look at zoning in exchange for those City concessions. Commissioner Steve Kirchhoff noted the recent county survey revealed 83 percent of the respondents want zoning, compared to 77 percent in the telephone survey completed six years ago. Commissioner Hietala suggested that the City also encourage development in the triangle that the County has identified as ripe for growth. He recognized that the Black Bull Subdivision may not be in the City's scope at this time, but might be within fifteen years. Commissioner Jeff Krauss responded he feels Black Bull Subdivision is in the City's scope now because it will develop in the county if the City doesn't assume jurisdiction. Commissioner John Vincent acknowledged there is a lot of strategy and leveraging occurring with potential development to the west, particularly with the water and sewer services available at Four Corners. 07 -08-05 Special - 4 - 1-90 interchange at Belgrade Commissioner Bill Murdock asked if the City Commissioners are willing to support the County's efforts to make an 1-90 interchange at the airport a reality. Commissioner Joe Skinner stated that Belgrade needs two interchanges, the current one as well as one at the airport. Commissioner Bill Murdock noted the County has not yet adopted the Greater Bozeman Area Transportation Plan, 2001 Update, although he believes the Commission may be favorable to doing so. He stated the interchange would alleviate some of the'traffic congestion on North 19th Avenue in Bozeman as well as on Frontage Road and in Belgrade. Commissioner Lee Hietala noted that Belgrade will benefit greatly from the interchange, and could grow significantly because of the second interchange. He does not feel, however, that big box stores relocating to the new interchange is a real threat. Commissioner Bill Murdock stated the County has asked the Congressional delegation for monies to assist with the new interchange, and $10 million is included in the Montana Department of Transportation list of projects, provided the County goes through the necessary hoops to obtain the monies. Commissioner Marcia Youngman stated that zoning is needed before the interchange is constructed, since unregulated strip development along the corridor is of concern. She voiced support for the interchange, as long as the various steps occur in the proper sequence. She indicated that Bozeman would be more supportive if it knew regulations were in place to ensure appropriate development as a result of the new interchange. Commissioner Bill Murdock cautioned that if the county is zoned, the result will be an incredible upward pressure on prices, and affordable housing is a critical need. Commissioner Lee Hietala left the meeting at 8:45 a.m. Bozeman Creek Neighborhood Commissioner Jeff Krauss asked if the County would be willing to expend some of its open space monies in the Bozeman Creek corridor, which includes a mix of city and county properties, particularly in light of immediate development pressure in that area. Commissioner Bill Murdock responded that he has told Doris Heckerman he'd support a request for open space monies that includes leveraged support. Commissioner Marcia Youngman noted the determination was made not to seek monies from the open space fund for the new library because the Bozeman Creek corridor was viewed as a higher priority. Commissioner John Vincent indicated his willingness to consider the request, noting he feels this sensitive corridor is one to be protected. Commissioner Joe Skinner noted the open space program supporters are more county oriented; however, he recognizes the need to spend some of those monies in or near Bozeman. Adjournment - 9:00 a.m. There being no further business to come before the Commissions at this time, the meeting was adjourned. 07 -08-05 Special 07 -08-05 Special -5- ~(C~ JEF RA SS . M ro mpore ATTEST: ~/~ BIN L. SULLIVAN City Clerk